REAL LIFE
US, 1979, 99 minutes, Colour.
Albert Brooks, Charles Grodin, Frances Lee Mc Cain.
Directed by Albert Brooks.
Real Life is a little seen but an enjoyable satire on the American way of life an on the media. It is the brainchild of comedian Albert Brooks (who was-to later make such films as Modern Problems, Lost in America as well as star, most effectively, in Broadcast News).
It purports to be a documentary about the making of a documentary: following a family through its life for a period of a year. Brooks introduces the film, as himself, giving a speech to the citizens of Phoenix Arizona and what the project will mean for them. There is a background of a public television documentary about a family having been shown in the early 709 and the plan for a studio to back this kind of real life film. It also has the backing of psychologists and psychological institutes such as The Institute in Boulder, Colorado. However, the film is well acted by its stars, Charles Grodin as the husband and Frances Lee Mc Cain as the wife. Brooks sometimes goes over the top as his comic persona. There is a strong supporting cast representing the psychologists and the media people.
While the film is particularly American, it has something to say about privacy, private lives and public images as well as the intrusion of the media. It also highlights how contrived is material for the media being staged for the media's benefit. There is also some poking fun at Hollywood with Real Life producer Jennings Lang being the producer who is heard only over the phone. An interesting satire on things American as well as glimpse the way the media works.
The TV reality shows were to arrive in real life fifteen years later.
1. The impact of the film? As comedy, spoof, satire? Its titles and the possibilities of getting any media version of Real Life?
2. The use of Phoenix Arizona as the location, the average American city - middle class, suburban, affluent, white? The use of the locations, of the home, the environment of the suburbs? The presentation of the psychological institutes
in Colorado?
3. The editing and the pace of the film, the documentary style? The glimpses of the family at work, at play, in the home? Watching the filming of the family and the contrasts between the two? The comments on the equipment? Musical score and atmosphere? The use of songs (Something’s Gotta Give)?
4. The work of Albert Brooks: writing, directing, starring? His comic style? Parodying himself and media people?
5. The opening speech, the sell for the citizens of Phoenix, their enthusiastic response? Thinking of gain for the city? The introduction of the psychologists and Dr Cleary not wanting to be exploited? The explanation of the project? The parody of Something’s Gotta Give?
6. The background of the documentary on PBS? The company emulating the documentary? The queue of families to be tested? The test with the family arguing against each other, driving test? Leaving the final two families - and their bland small talk? Tossing up between winter in Wisconsin in Arizona?
7. The arrival at the airport, their being on the wrong plane, the wreaths, going home, the table talk and Jeanette with her menstrual tension, Warren trying to cover-up? Jeanette going away for the weekend, wanting to be by herself, making the appointment at the Mall, her infatuation with Albert Brooks, kissing? All being filmed?
8. The home sequences, the detail of daily life, their depressions, getting up in the morning, having breakfast, the daughter and the wedding dress, the illness of Jeanette's Grandmother, the funeral and Warren wanting to talk during it, the Minister wanting his full attention, the operation on the horse, Warrens nervousness, the wrong injection and the death of the horse, the reaction of the jockey? The collage of nice experiences - in the cigarette commercial style?
9. Albert Brooks himself, his patter, his persuasiveness, comic style, talking to the camera, exploitive? The visit to the gynaecologist, the argument, offering the money, recognising him from the expose, the reaction of the doctor? Getting dressed in clown clothes? Phonetic atmosphere?
10. Dr Cleary and Dr Hill, their observations comments, the discussions? Dr Cleary serious? The argument about hang-ups about blacks? His decision to leave, writing the articles, television? Dr Hill and his staying?
11. The executives, the psychologists, the board meetings, the discussion about the film, the effect on the family, their reactions, tensions? Albert's arguments? The decision to stop the process?
12. The satire on Hollywood, the executive producer coming over the phone impersonally, considering only money and exploitation?
13. The effect of the filming on the family, their exasperation? The phone calls? The intrusion of the TV company and the news after Dr Cleary's article? Albert canting across, ousting them? Their following the family around the city? Warren and Jeanette reconciling? Jeanette and her phone calls to Albert - his wanting to promote the relationship - and her cutting him off? The stopping of the project?
14. Albert and his manic desire to find an ending for the film - considering Jaws, Star Wars, Tara's Theme and The Burning of the House as in Gone With The Wind? The comments afterwards about the rebuilding of the house and the comfort of the family getting their money?
15. The satire on real life, the project in itself and its possibility, psychologists and their observations, studios and their money and comments on audiences watching films, cameras, intrusion into privacy? The family conscious of the cameras? Not being able to live real life?
16. The satire on media, media and art and box-office?
